Obstruction
To resurrect this thread------incredible reply by Jim Porter defining obstruction. Especially volumne 1.
Just joking.
Obstruction occurs when a fielder not in possession of the ball or "in the act of fielding the ball" impedes the progress of the runner. "Act of fielding" further defined in OBR as that ball is thrown "near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball"....
"Near enough so he must occupy" is where I have trouble with particular emphasis on the word MUST. Too frequently I see fielders on pickoff attempts or inbound throws blocking bases with knees and having to reach above their head to the limit to reach the throw. The other technique is standing and placing a foot 2-3 feet directly into the runners path while reaching considerably away to catch the ball. The obvious intent is to block the base. Frequently the arrival of the ball and runner making contact is simultaneous. QUESTION BEING--MUST the fielder occupy that position or is he doing it only because he physically can while managing to block the runner from the base while still managing a catch. Other positioning would provide him a better opportunity to field the ball and try a tag.
I have seen several high school players get their faces bloodied on head first dives into fielder's feet and legs on these plays. IMO these techniques are illegal and dangerous.
I will regularly call this obstruction. What I look for is a throw that takes a player into the runner or that a fielder must get down to block as meeting the criteria of "Must occupty his position to field the ball". I seldom, if ever, will provide the (potentially) offending player the benefit of any doubt.
I am interested in your comments and if you feel you frequently see this type of play, particularly at ages15-16 and up.
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